By Graham Sweeney
While Bartlett’s jobless rate rose one-tenth of a point in October, the city maintained the second lowest rate among Shelby County municipalities.
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the city’s rate increased to 6.3 percent, representing 1,850 unemployed residents.
October’s rate is down nearly one point compared to the same period last year when the rate was 7.2 percent.
Bartlett’s labor force is comprised of 27,380 residents.
Germantown’s unemployment rate fell more than half a point to 5.1 percent in October, giving the city the lowest rate in Shelby County.
The city’s rate fell .6 percent last month, representing 1,000 unemployed individuals.
October’s rate is more than a point below Bartlett’s and two points below Collierville’s.
Of Shelby County municipalities with more than 25,000 residents, Germantown was the only city that showed a decrease in its jobless rate.
Collierville’s jobless rate climbed more than a point last month to 7.5 percent.
The town’s rate increased 1.4 percent in October, representing 1,690 unemployed individuals.
The rate remains down compared to last year’s rate of nearly 8 percent.
Collierville’s labor force is comprised of 22,500 residents.
Shelby County’s rate climbed slightly to 8.7 percent last month, while the jobless rate in Memphis rose two-tenths of a point to 9.7 percent.
At 5.1 percent, Lincoln County in middle Tennessee had the lowest rate.
The unemployment rate decreased in 14 counties, increased in 64, and remained the same in 17.
Neighboring Fayette County’s jobless rate jumped nearly five percent last month putting it among the highest in the state.
Fayette’s unemployment rate ballooned to 13.6 percent in October, a 4.6-percent increase from September.
The rate represents 2,580 jobless individuals.
Fayette’s rate is the third highest in the state, behind only Obion (13.8 percent) and Scott (16.4 percent) counties.
